Once I’ve figured something out, I like to put that knowledge to use. So, once I figured out how to make a knitting needle roll, I kept going.
And going. I’ve learned a little more while making each roll, so each one is better than the one before it. What have I learned?
First, that machine-sewn quilt binding isn’t worth the effort. I always thought that it didn’t look as good as hand-sewn binding, but I tried it because I assumed it would save time and effort. Well, maybe it does save time–just a little–but it’s so frustrating to sew that I have given up on trying it. There are too many layers being sewn together and accuracy matters too much. Hand-sewing quilt binding, on the other hand, is a meditative pleasure with a beautiful result.
Second, I now understand why quilters are so crazy about low-loft cotton batting. It is indeed SO much easier to machine-quilt it, then to machine-quilt polyester batt. I’m definitely going with cotton, for projects like this in the future. However, as I know from personal experience, the polyester batts are much warmer for bed quilts. So, I’ll just have to consider each quilt as I make it.
Third, I learned how to make a really tight, neat binding (2″ tape, single fold, machine-sewn with a 1/4″ foot around one side, then whipstitched to the other by hand) and how to make really neat mitered corners (I read the tutorial at Oh Fransson).
Fourth, I realized that I know a lot of people who knit. Each of these rolls has an intended home. Hooray!
Last, I learned that in the right combinations, even yellow and orange and tan (normally my least favorite colors!) are irresistibly beautiful. That pale yellow roll? I could just eat. It. Up.
